Elevating belt loader and excavation apparatus



ELEVATING BELT LOADER AND EXCAVATION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1969 Sept. 29, 1970 F. H. HoLLAND 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. F/@ANCVS h. HOLLAN,

ELEVATING BELT LOADER AND EXCAVATION APPARATUS Filed Feb. l0. 1959 Sept. 29, 1970 F. H. HOLLAND I5 Sheets-Sheet FPA/V013 H. Haan/v0,

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ELEVATING BELT LOADER AND EXCAVATION ArPAaATUs Filed Feb. 10, 1969 Sept. 29, 1970 F. H. HOLLAND 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I WENTOR. FPA/vof@ H HOL 4A/0,

United States Patent O 3,530,599 ELEVATING BELT LOADER AND EXCAVATION APPARATUS Francis H. Holland, P.0. Box 20223, Billings, Mont. 59102 Filed Feb. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 804,045 Int. Cl. E02f 5/00; B60d 1/06, 3/00 U.S. Cl. 37-110 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (l) Field of the invention This invention relates to excavation apparatus employed in earth or material removal and useful in grading, surface mining, and like operations.

(2) Statement of the prior art `Conveying means has heretofore been employed in association with excavating apparatus of various types. Examples of prior arrangements of these known types are found in the following prior U.S. Patents:

Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 2,627,712 Chatten Feb. 10, 1953 3,144,723 Carter Aug. 18, 1964 3,285,385 Langner Nov. 15, 1966 3,324,963 Stroot et al. lune 13, 1967 These prior devices have experienced widespread use, but users encountered difficulty in connection with steering functions, and in maintaining alignment of cut. Moreover, where the prime mover is an integral part of the apparatus, the prime mover is necessarily of limited function and cannot be used for other duties, thereby greatly increasing the cost of maintenance, operation, and original manufacture of these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates essentially to the cornbination of dual blade means for multi-plane excavation with conveying means mounted intermediate two separate prime movers. The blade and conveying means form a unit assembly which is independent of the prime movers per se and may be mounted between other and different prime movers as conditions may require.

In prior apparatus adapted for the functions herein contemplated serious problems of maneuverability have been encountered. Often, the steering function interferes with the proper operation of the blades, and these devices do not provide any means for tilting of the blade function responsive to strip contour requirements. The present invention provides independent prime mover means separately steerable without interference with the excavation means, and further provides means for tilting of the cuting blades as a further function of the prime mover means.

In the present invention, the essential motive force for the device is supplied by prime movers independent of the conveying function. In prior devices, it was often the case that the movement of the machinery was interrelated with either the cutting means or the conveying means. The present invention provides for greatly improved guidance functions by the employment of dual prime movers which are independent of the means for operation of the conveying system.

A further advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that prime movers may be substituted which conform to particular terrain requirements.

By elimination of the need for incorporating a prime mover as an integral part of the cutting and conveying apparatus, the initial cost of manufacture of the device is substantially lower than previously proposed arrangements of this general class.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specication when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan View of the represented apparatus constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a first side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an opposite side elevational view; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line 4 4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in more detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, the overall assembly making up the components of this invention is therein generally designated by reference numeral 10. The assembly 10 comprises three main portions: a leading prime mover 12, an intermediate excavation and conveying assembly 14, and a trailing prime mover 16. The prime movers 12 and 16 may be of the crawler type shown in the drawings, or of any other class or type suitable to the particular conditions of use to be encountered by the apparatus. The prime movers per se are conventional, and are modiiied in respect to the hitch assembly of the leading prime mover 12 and in respect to the forward blade and mount therefor of the trailing prime mover 16. These modifications are described in more detail hereinafter.

The leading prime mover 12 includes a rear end frame portion 18 having pairs of clevis members 20, 22 extending therefrom at its opposite, lower sides. Braces 24 and 26 are mounted on pins 28 and 30, respectively, extending through the clevis members 20 and 22, and project outwardly from the frame 18. A connecting cross member 32 spans the braces at their outer ends and is iixedly secured thereto, the member 32 having a pair of connection ears -34 on its upper side. A pair of corresponding ears 36 extend from the frame portion 18 at its upper portion in longitudinal alignment with the ears 34, and an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder assembly 38 is provided therebetween. Extension and retraction of the cylinder assembly 38 effects consequent elevation and lowering of the cross member 32 and braces 24, 26 which pivot on the pins 28 and 30. A swivel mount element 40 is aflixed on the cross member at a substantially central location, and has an upstanding ball member 42 thereon.

The excavation and conveying assembly 14 include the main platform 44 of generally triangular for-m having a forward end 46 and a back end 48. The platform has heavy side braces 50, 52, and has a socket means adjacent the leading end 46. The ball member 42 is seated in the socket thereby effecting the swivel connection of the platform on the hitch assembly of the leading prime mover 12. Extending transversely of the rear end 48 of the platform is a cross beam or tool bar 56.

A frame for the conveyer and blades includes a series of struts and braces. Extending vertically from the cross beam 56 is a leg brace 58. A beam 60 extends rearwardly from the beam 56 and forms an extension of the brace 50. A second vertical leg brace 62 extends from the beam 60 adjacent its distal end. A top cross strut 64 connects the vertical braces 58 and 62. An inclined cross strut 66 extends from the brace 62 to a secondary horizontal brace 68, and a connecting tension member 70 is inclined oppositely to an outer cross brace 72. The tension strut 74 extends from the brace 72 to the vertical brace 58. It will be understood that this series of struts and braces is variable in accordance with manufacturing requirements, and that the series herein described is by way of illustration `of one acceptable means for accomplishing this purpose.

An elongated vertical cutting blade 76 is mounted in a position vertically elevated above the ground level between the horizontal brace 68 and a forward overhead strut 78. The blade 76 includes a cutting edge 80 and a mounting plate 82. A channel or similar structural member 84 is xed to the plate 82 and projects rearwardly therefrom. In FIG. 4, it will be further observed that a baffle plate 86 of triangular form extends from the mounting plate 82, serving as a curtain to direct material excavated by the blade 76 to the conveyer, as appears `below in more detail.

The trailing prime mover 16 has a boom at each side. The boom 88 on the side thereof adjacent the blade 76 (FIG. 3) is pivotally mounted on the prime mover at a hinge 90, and has a central boss 92 on its upper side. An extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder assembly 94 is pivotally mounted at the boss 92 and is also pivotally connected to a forward blade 96 at a hinge point 98. The boom 88 is also pivotally connected to the blade 96 at a hinge 100. At the opposite side of the prime mover, a boom 102 (FIG. 2) -similar to the 'boom 88 is provided. The boom 102 is loosely pivoted to the prime mover at a hinge 104 and to the blade 96 at a hinge 106. Extending between a boss 108 and the blade 96 is a structural member 110 which is pivoted at binges 112 and 114. Each of the points of articulation of the blade 96 and the associated booms, structural member, and hydraulic cylinder assembly, are provided with a less then fully rigid lateral connection. Thus, by extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder assembly 94 it is possible to tilt the blade 96 at either side. The beam 60 of the frame, the structural member 84, and the braces 66 and 68 are each xedly secured to the forward surface of the blade 96, as by welding or otherwise. Thus, tilting of the blade effects adjustment of the line of cut of the blade 76 and other components fixed thereto. By virtue of the swivel mount of the platform, however, this does not effect the forward movement of the overall assembly.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will there be observed that a horizontal blade 116 is xed on a heavy side plate or curtain 118. The plate 118 is generally triangular in form and is connected at one end to a tool bar 56 and at its opposite end to a leg 120 extending to the side brace 52 of the frame.

Intermediate the two cutting blades 116 and 76 is a conveyer assembly 122. The conveyer assembly 122 has a base frame 124 secured to the plate 118 rearwardly of the blade 116 and also secured to the mounting plate 82 of the blade 76 (FIG. 4). A rst roller 126 is journaled in the base frame 124. The assembly 122 further includes side frame mem-bers 128, 130 which are inclined upwardly from the base frame 124 and have a second roller 132 journalled between the elevated outer ends thereof. Top side boards 134, 136 are secured to each of the side members, and a plurality of interior cross rollers 138 extend between the members in a longitudinally aligned row. The side members are shaped to support a drive roller 140 and associated idler adjustment roller 142 intermediate their ends, and the 'drive roller is operatively engaged through a sprocket 144 and chain 146 with a sprocket 148 extending from a torque converter 150 and engine 152 mounted above the platform 44. An endless conveyer belt 154 is trained about the respective rollers. It will be observed that the drive means for tbe endless belt is self contained on the platform and is independent of the prime movers. However, the platform, cutters and conveying mechanism is not in itself a mobile unit. All motive force is supplied by the two prime movers, and steering is accomplished through the prime movers also.

In operation, as the device is moved fonwardly against a line or plane of material to be excavated, the blade 76 makes a vertical cut along line M in FIG. 4. At the same time, the blade 116 is making a horizontal cut along line L in FIG. 3. The material excavated at line M is forced by the mounting plate 82 and baffle 86 onto the top flight of the conveyor belt. At the same time, material excavated along line L is forced up the inclined surface of the blade 116 to the belt top flight. Lateral displacement of material from line L is prevented on one side by the plate 118, and on the other side by the line of unexcavated material in advance of the blade 76.

As noted above, extension and retraction olf the cylinder 94 results in a tilting motion on the blade 96, with consequent alteration of the path of travel of both the blade means. Steering of the overall assembly is accomplished by the alteration of direction of the prime Imovers.

It will be noted that a special front end attachment for the trailing prime mover may be supplied where required which would eliminate the need for a forward dozer blade. In that instance, a frame having a similar tilt cylinder would be substituted.

Having described and illustrated an embodiment of this invention in some detail, it will be understood that this description and illustration have been offered only by way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Excavation and conveying apparatus comprising:

a first prime mover having a trailing hitch assembly;

a platform assembly, including a horizontal excavation blade, means connecting the leading end of said platform assembly to said trailing hitch assembly, rst power means carried by said rst prime mover for raising and lowering the leading end of said platform assembly, a conveyor secured to said platform and arranged to convey material from the horizontal excavation blade;

a vertical excavation blade secured to the conveyor and to the platform, on the side of the conveyor remote from the horizontal excavation blade;

a trailing prime mover secured to the rear of said platform assembly and second power means carried by said trailing prime mover, said second power means being capable of raising and lowering the rear end of said platform independently of said raising and lowering of the leading end, said second power means being further capable of tilting said platform about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said excavation and conveying apparatus for changing the orientation of said blades.

2. The excavation and conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said trailing prime mover has a forward blade mounted on a fixed boom at one side and on a boom including an extensible and retractable portion at its other side, said forward blade of the trailing prime mover being fixedly secured to the rear end of the platform assembly to facilitate raising and lowering of the rear end of said platform assembly independently of the forward end of said assembly, said second power means being coupled to said extensible and retractable portion of said boom at one side of said forward blade lfor tilting the rear end of said platform assembly about a pivot point defined by said xed boom on the other side of said forward blade, said means ffor connecting said platform assembly at its forward end to said hitch assembly including a ball and socket joint to allolw the rear end of said platform assembly to be independently raised and lowered with respect to the leading end, and tilted, by operation of said extensible and retractable portion of said 'boom coupled to one side of said forward blade.

3. Excavation and conveying apparatus for excavation of materials in both generally vertical and generally horizontal planes and for discharge of the excavated materials from a common conveyer, the apparatus comprising:

a leading prime mover having an aft hitch assembly mounted thereon for vertical pivotal movement;

the hitch assembly including rearwardly extending braces with a connecting cross member secured thereto outwardly of the leading prime mover;

extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder means pivotably connected to the leading prime mover and to the cross member to effect vertical adjustment of the height of the cross member responsive to extension and retraction thereof;

a swivel mount, including a ball member, projecting `from the cross member;

a main platform having distal and proximal ends and being connected at the proximal end on the ball member for swivel action;

a trailing prime rnover having a forward blade mounted on a fixed boom at one side and on a boom including an extensible and retractable portion at its other side;

the forward blade of the trailing prime mover being tixedly secured to the distal end of the main platform at a side thereof adjacent the other side of the blade;

engine and transmission means operatively disposed on the main platform;

a conveyor assembly, having an intake side and a discharge side, the intake side being aligned substantially with the said other side of the blade and a discharge side being disposed laterally thereof, the conveyor including an endless belt and drive means linked to said engine and transmission means for driving said belt;

a strut assembly secured to the platform and supporting the conveyor assembly;

an elongated vertical cutting blade secured to the strut assembly and to the fonward blade of the trailing prime mover in a position adjacent the intake side of the belt;

shield means arranged to direct material from the vertical cutting blade to the Ibelt;

a horizontal blade mounting frame secured to the platform forwardly of the belt;

a horizontal blade secured to the mounting frame having an inclined plate to direct excavated material to the belt; and

a vertical stabilizing shield to direct material excavated by the horizontal blade to the belt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11,382 7/1854 Lyon 37-110 2,197,267 4/1940 Gilmore 280-511 2,395,244 2/ 1946 Austin 37--126 2,489,991 1l/ 1949 Tucker 37-110 2,618,083 11/1952 Armington et al 37--110 3,025,620 3/1962 Liess 172-803 3,049,817 8/ 1962 MacDonald.

3,090,639 5/1963 Virtue et al. 280479 XR 3,245,159 4/ 1966 MacDonald.

FOREIGN PATENTS '208,854 10/ 1922 Great Britain.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner C. D. CROWDER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

172-803; ZSC- 479, 511 

